AFLIGA Thought Leadership Series
(2026 Edition)
A multi-disciplinary initiative that fosters strategic intellectual dialogue, provokes critical thinking, and shapes progressive policies and action on Africa’s most pressing leadership and development issues.
THEME:
Re-Imagining Africa’s SMEs Financing, Trade, Governance and Economic Development Goals in the next Decade:
Any Hope for Agenda 2063?
Date:
26th August
2026
Time:
9am GMT
11am SAT
12pm EAT
Venue:
La Palm Royal Beach
ACCRA – GHANA
Theory of Change
The primary aim of the second edition of AFLIGA’s Thought Leadership series is to offer both physical and online space to critically discuss and explore different viewpoints and offer shared values with respect to Africa’s governance, security,
and development frameworks within the context of Agenda 2063.
This edition also seeks to foster constructive interaction on the feasibility of achieving the vision outlined in Agenda 2063 and to explore the necessary conditions for its realisation.
Keynote Speaker
H.E. MR. MAMADOU BITEYE
Executive Secretary – Africa Capacity Building Foundation
H.E. Mr. Mamadou Biteye
His Excellency Mr. Mamadou Biteye has over 30 years of experience in capacity building across Africa and beyond, gained through work in the private and public sectors, including with leading international development agencies. His expertise in Africa’s development sector includes work in strategic leadership, program development and implementation, public policy analysis, advocacy, campaigning, and community participatory development.
In May 2022, the executive board of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) appointed Biteye as Executive Secretary. Previously, he served as Visa’s Vice President and Global Head of Inclusive Growth, and before that as Regional Head of Social Impact for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. In those roles, he collaborated with non-profit clients and government organizations to bring Visa’s social impact vision to markets around the world.
Prior to joining Visa, Biteye worked as Managing Director of the Africa Regional Office of the Rockefeller Foundation, overseeing the foundation’s work across the continent. This included work on youth employment, health, philanthropy, agriculture, and food security. During this assignment, he led the implementation of programs that enhanced youth skills. This included the Digital Jobs Africa initiative, under which over 160,000 youths received employability training, and the formation of the Global Impact Sourcing Coalition.
Biteye’s work experience in capacitating vulnerable populations also included programs to support women. In a previous role as Oxfam’s Regional Director for West Africa, Biteye co-designed Saving for Change, an innovative microfinance program that has improved outcomes for more than 700,000 women in Mali and Senegal.
Biteye serves as an advisor and board member of the World Bank’s Solutions for Youth Employment, the African Women Impact Fund, the Center for African Philanthropy and Social Investment at the University of Witwatersrand, the Global Mentorship Initiative, and myAgro. In 2019, The Africa Report listed him among the 100 most influential Africans.
Biteye holds a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Ohio State University and a master’s and bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the Crimean Agricultural Institute.
Chief Guest of Honour
H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe
AU Commissioner in charge of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM)
H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe
Mrs. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe is originally from Equatorial Guinea. She holds a Master’s degree (Magister Atrium) in political and economic development from Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany.
A former member of parliament for the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea, she served as Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Promotion for one year, before becoming the first female Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Promotion in 2009. She held this position until 2011.
In July 2013, she was appointed 2nd Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, a position she held until 2017.
In 2020, she was appointed Vice-President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and was the first woman to hold this position.
Since July 2025, she has been elected Commissioner in charge of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals of the African Union, and was sworn in as such on September 7, 2025. In this capacity, the establishment of African financial institutions, the problem of African debt, the operationalization of the African Union Mining Development Agency, the economic and financial empowerment of African women and youth, are some of her priorities.
She is the founder of an international investment promotion firm and a sponsor of several African associations, NGOs and think tanks, operating on issues of women and youth empowerment, the fight against climate change and development issues.
Mrs. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe promotes and supports sectoral projects at the regional level.
Chairperson - OPENING SESSION
H.E. Mrs Betty
Mould-Iddrisu
Member, Council of State, Ghana
H.E. Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu
Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu was born on 22nd March, 1953. She attended Achimota, Ghana International, and Accra Academy Schools in Accra. She went to the University of Ghana for her Bachelor’s in Law Degree (LIB) and obtained her Master’s degree in Law (LLM) from the London School of Economics & Political Science in London, UK, in 1978. She was called to the Ghanaian Bar in 1979.
In the early 1980s, she became an active member of the Ghana branch of the International Federation of Lawyers (FIDA), where she held some executive positions. She rose through the ranks of the FIDA-Ghana Executive to chair both FIDA-Ghana (1994-96) and the FIDA-Africa group (1996-98). She assisted in the establishment of Ghana’s first Legal Aid Centre, comprising a legal aid clinic and a legal literacy centre in 1986 and co-founded the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) in 1999. She has been at the forefront of using the law as a tool for change in the status of African women. She was a member of Ghana’s Domestic Violence Coalition that pushed for the passage of Ghana’s Domestic Violence Law. She joined the Attorney-General’s Department at Ghana’s Ministry of Justice in January 1980 as an Assistant State Attorney, posted to the Registrar General’s Department. She rose through the ranks to the position of Chief State Attorney and headed the International Law Division at the Ministry of Justice.
Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu was appointed Copyright Administrator of Ghana in 1989. She became an acknowledged global expert in Intellectual Property Law throughout her career, representing Ghana and Africa as a speaker, expert, resource person, chair and consultant to the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and other multilateral agencies. She pioneered the teaching of Intellectual Property Rights (IP) at the University of Ghana’s Faculty of Law as a final-year elective and taught Intellectual Property Rights herself between 1980 and 1990. She was appointed as the Director of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division of the UK-based Commonwealth Secretariat in 2003.
Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu became the first female Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in Ghana in 2009. During her time in office, she initiated reforms by streamlining the work at the Ministry, building the capacity of state attorneys at both national and international levels, and expanding and strengthening capacity in the regional offices and the Prosecutions Division.
She also championed the expansion of legal education in Ghana by assisting in establishing more law schools in the country. She was appointed as the Minister of Education from 2011 to 2012 and is currently a distinguished member of the 9th Council of State of the Republic of Ghana.
She has received multiple awards in Ghana and Africa from a plethora of political, legal, civil society, religious and youth organisations. This is a testament to the fact that she not only influences the legal space but also goes beyond it, having influenced and empowered African youth over the decades.
Special Presentation
Dr. Johnson
Pandit Asiamay
Governor, Bank of Ghana
Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama
Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama is the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, a position he assumed in February 2025 following his appointment by the President of the Republic of Ghana. A distinguished economist with over two decades of experience in central banking, financial regulation, and macroeconomic management, he has built a career dedicated to promoting monetary and financial stability.
Dr. Asiama joined the Bank of Ghana in 1996 and served in several senior leadership roles across the Banking Supervision, Financial Markets, and Research Departments. In 2016, he was appointed Second Deputy Governor, where he played a pivotal role in coordinating the work of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and advancing key reforms in monetary policy implementation, banking regulation, financial market development, and financial inclusion. His leadership has consistently been guided by a commitment to price stability, financial sector resilience, and strong institutional governance.
He holds an MPhil in Economics from the University of Ghana, Legon, and a PhD in Economics from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. His academic and professional interests encompass monetary economics, financial stability, macroeconomic policy, and risk management, areas that continue to shape his policy approach and leadership.
Before his appointment as Second Deputy Governor, Dr. Asiama served as Director of the Macroeconomic Management Department at the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), where he led regional capacity-building, policy advisory, and technical assistance programmes for central banks and ministries of finance across ECOWAS member states.
Since assuming office as Governor, Dr. Asiama has provided steady leadership during a critical phase of Ghana’s macroeconomic recovery. Under his stewardship, the Bank of Ghana has worked closely with the Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to implement reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, culminating in the successful completion of the Fourth Review under Ghana’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme. These efforts have contributed to renewed market confidence, improved exchange rate stability, and better-anchored inflation expectations.
Dr. Asiama has also made significant contributions to strengthening Ghana’s financial sector architecture. He played an instrumental role in the development of key financial sector legislation, including the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act and the Ghana Deposit Protection Act. As Governor, he continues to champion robust financial sector supervision, effective systemic risk management, and the responsible adoption of financial innovation. His leadership in the establishment of the FinTech and Innovation Department and the Payments Systems Department underscores his commitment to modernising Ghana’s financial ecosystem and fostering a secure, inclusive, and digitally enabled financial system.
As Governor, Dr. Asiama remains committed to strengthening the institutional independence of the Bank of Ghana, enhancing transparency and accountability in monetary policy, deepening financial markets, and supporting policies that promote sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity for Ghana.
Guest of Honour:
HON. DR. ABDUL-RASHID HASSAN PELPUO
Minister for Labour, Jobs, & Employment – Ghana
Hon. Rashid Pelpuo
Hon. Rashid Pelpuo is currently serving his sixth term as the Member of Parliament for the Wa Central Constituency, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the development of his people and Ghana as a whole.
He holds a PhD in African Studies (Development Policy) and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Ghana. Additionally, he has a Bachelor of Education (Psychology) and a Diploma in Economics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Before his current role, Hon. Pelpuo held several significant positions, including Minister of State in Charge of Public Sector Reforms and Public-Private Partnerships, Minister of Youth and Sports, Deputy Majority Leader, and Minister of State at the Office of the President.
In Parliament, his contributions have been extensive. He has served as the Ranking Member for the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Lands and Forestry Committee, a Member of the Mines and Energy Committe, Deputy Ranking Member for the Youth and Sports Committee, Member of the Business Committee, and Chairman of the Population and Health Caucus.
On the international stage, Hon. Pelpuo is the current President of the African Parliamentarians Forum on Population and Development and a Member of the Pan-African Parliament. He has previously served as Chairman of the Sports Ministers of West Africa and as an Envoy for the Clover Climate Alliance in Africa and the Middle East.
During his early career, Hon. Pelpuo was an active youth leader. He served as President of the Democratic League of Ghana (Wa District) and rose to become the Acting Regional Coordinator. He later became the Director of the Issa Youth Leadership Training Institute in the Upper West Region and the Director of Administration and Finance, Research, and Policy Planning at the National Youth Council. Hon. Pelpuo also founded Pelcos Consult, a consultancy firm where he worked closely with the National Development Planning Commission, the World Bank, and various Metropolitan and District Assemblies.
A prolific writer, Hon. Pefpuo has published several works, including “The True Meaning of Life” and academic papers on politics and economic development policy in Ghana.
His remarkable contributions to politics, diplomacy, and peace have earned him numerous awards. He is a two-time recipient of the International Icon of Peace Award from the World Institute of Peace in Türkiye and Nigeria. He has also been honored as the Politician of the Decade by the J.A. Kufuor Foundation and recognized by the Initiators of Change Foundation as the Most Respected Political Leader of the Decade.
HOSTESS/Guest of Honour
HON. Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness,
and Industry
Hon. Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare (Mrs.) is the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry and the Member of Parliament for Techiman North Constituency. A distinguished lawyer, legislator, and policy advocate, she has dedicated her career to governance, legal advocacy, and economic development.
As Minister, she is committed to strengthening Ghana’s trade and industrial sectors, promoting agribusiness, and driving economic transformation through strategic policies and private sector partnerships. Previously, she served as Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, where she played a pivotal role in promoting Ghana’s tourism industry, implementing cultural policies, and spearheading initiatives like the Marine Drive Project and Homofest.
She is the founder of the Elizabeth Law Centre and has an extensive legal background, including serving as a Notary Public and a legal practitioner with the Legal Aid Scheme. Her academic credentials include an LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution and an LLB from the University of Ghana, an MA in International Relations from Webster University, and a BA in Social Science from KNUST. She completed her Professional Law Course (PLC) at the Ghana School of Law and was called to the Bar in 2004.
Elizabeth has held key board memberships, including as a former Board Chair of Cocoa Merchant Company Limited, a board member of Multi Trust Financial Services, and a former board member of Phoenix Life Assurance Limited. She continues to champion trade expansion, industrial growth, and business development in Ghana.
Beyond her professional career, she is passionate about mentorship, human rights, and governance, with interests in reading, music, and culinary arts.
Special Guest of Honour
H.E. HON. SARA BEYSOLOW NYANTI
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia
H.E. Mme. Sara Beysolow Nyanti
Her Excellency, Mme. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of the Republic of Liberia, is a globally respected diplomat, public servant, and international expert with nearly three decades of experience as a development practitioner, transformational leader and motivational speaker and preacher with experiences in crisis management and humanitarian response.
As Liberia’s Chief Diplomatic Representative, Minister Nyanti currently leads the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a pivotal moment in Liberia’s foreign policy trajectory. She has been instrumental in re- energizing Liberia’s global engagement, most notably by securing Liberia’s successful election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (2026–2027).
In her role as Dean of the Cabinet, she serves as an advisor to the President of the Republic of Liberia on foreign policy and also helps to shape strategic policy direction and ensure coordination across ministries in the implementation of national priorities.
Minister Nyanti’s portfolio includes spearheading Liberia’s economic diplomacy agenda, strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships, enhancing the country’s international reputation, and leading key reforms in the foreign service—including the decentralization of passport services and the expansion of Liberia’s diplomatic presence abroad.
Prior to her appointment as Foreign Minister, she held senior leadership roles within the United Nations, including UN Resident Coordinator in South Sudan and Nepal, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General in the UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNMISS), as well as leading complex humanitarian operations in some of the world’s most challenging conflict and post-conflict settings. In South Sudan, she also organized the country’s first international conference on Women in Transformational Leadership, championing gender equity in governance.
Minister Nyanti also served with UNICEF for over a decade, including as UNICEF Representative. As UNICEF Chief of Office in Lagos, Nigeria, she was at the forefront of public health emergency coordination. She played a critical role in Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak, co- leading the establishment of Emergency Operations Centers in both Yaba and Port Harcourt.
Before her international career, Minister Nyanti was a trailblazer in Liberia’s public health sector, serving as Director of the National AIDS Control Program, where she led the mobilization of Global Fund resources to fight HIV/AIDS.
A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and inclusive governance, Minister Nyanti is recognized for her empathetic and principled leadership style—marked by integrity, service, and a commitment to justice, peace, and sustainable development. Her efforts continue to inspire a new generation of leaders across Africa and beyond.
Contextual Presentation by AfCFTA
Dr. Tsotetsi Makong
Director, Coordination and Programmes, Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Dr. Tsotetsi Makong
Dr. Tsotetsi Makong is an international trade law and policy expert. He serves as the Director of Coordination and Programmes at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra, Ghana.
With extensive experience in WTO, UNCTAD, and regional trade policy making negotiations, he has represented Africa and developing-country interests in multilateral trade processes and has contributed significantly to the development and implementation of the AfCFTA.
He previously served as a diplomat and trade negotiator for the Kingdom of Lesotho in Geneva, where he held senior coordination and chief negotiator role of the Africa Group on WTO issues and the G77 and China. Prior to his tour of duty in Geneva, he worked in regional trade negotiations configurations such as SACU, SADC, and the African Union.
Dr. Tsotetsi Makong is also an academic, lecturer, and capacity-building specialist with expertise in International Trade Law, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, Information Security Law, supply chain and logistics management, as well as regional integration and trade facilitation.
CHAIRPERSON - PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Dr. Irene Stella Agyenim-Boateng
Vice Chairperson,
Public Service Commission, Ghana
Dr. Irene Stella Agyenim-Boateng
Dr. (Mrs) I. Stella Agyenim-Boateng is the Vice Chairman of the Public Services Commission; a highly qualified C-Suite Executive who is also a Transformational leader and an end-to-end Human Resources Management Expert with several years of senior leadership and Board experience. She has been involved and led organisational re-structuring and other Human Resource key projects in various organisations in the Public and Private sectors as well as multinationals. She is a passionate leader with a proven track-record of successful transitions across various industries/sectors including Education, Telecommunications, Insurance, Energy, Consultancy and Public Service. She is very affable, inspirational, people-centred, results-oriented and decisive.
Before her appointment as the Vice Chairman of the Public Services Commission (PSC), she held the positions such as Advisor, Deputy Chief Executive (Services) and Director Human Resource in Volta River Authority; she was also a Consultant and Group Human Resource Director for GLICO Group, Vodafone Ghana (now Telecel) and Ghana Telecom. She has also been an Adjunct Lecturer in some Tertiary institutions in Ghana.
She is an accomplished and astute corporate leader who leaves in her trail, monumental legacies, achievements and success stories.
She holds a Doctor of Business Administration Degree from the Swiss Business School, an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree (Honoris Causa) from the Institut Universitaire La Grace, Benin, Professional Executive Masters in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Institute of Para-Legal Training and Leadership Studies, Masters in Applied Business Research from the Swiss Business School, Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management) from the University of Ghana, Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from GIMPA, Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from GIMPA, Bachelors’ Degree (English & History) and a Diploma in Education, obtained concurrently from the University of Cape-Coast.
She is a FELLOW of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management Practitioners (CIHRMP) Ghana, a DISTINGUISHED FELLOW, Chartered Institute of Leadership and Governance (CILG) Ghana, a FELLOW, Institute of Directors (IoD) Ghana, an Executive Member of the Executive Women’s Network (EWN), a Member, SHRM, a Member of EVE International and a Member, Ghana National Association of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioners, an Honorary FELLOW of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (HFGhIE), DISTINGUISHED FELLOW of The Africa Women’s Leadership Academy, An Honorary FELLOW of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants.
She serves on Boards and Committees and has contributed significantly to organizational re-structuring and development across the public and private sectors.
She has been recognized severally in Ghana, Africa and Globally.
She has mentored many men and women who are in key positions in national and international organizations, delivered several Public Thought-Leadership lectures and engagements, developed many youths in the areas of education and career, advocated for Gender-related initiatives while supporting the vulnerable.
She is a mentor, Public Speaker, a Thought Leader and passionate about issues of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
She is the Author of the Book: 100 Career Nuggets – Keeping it Punchy and has delivered several papers at both local and international conferences, seminars and workshops.
Convener
Dr. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi
Executive Director, Africa Future Leaders Institute of Global Affairs (AFLIGA)
Dr. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi
Dr. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi is one of Africa’s most respected authors, strategic thinkers, leadership strategists, corporate trainers, and keynote speakers. He speaks frequently on contemporary management, strategic leadership, and creative entrepreneurship education. His work in leadership strategy focuses on the future of work and improving corporate teams and culture.
He is a certified coach who specializes in grooming emerging African entrepreneurial and corporate leaders.
Emmanuel is a true Pan-Africanist, currently in charge of the strategic direction of Human Capital International Africa, a leadership and contemporary management development business entity, as the President and Chief Copywriter.
He is the founder and chief strategist of the Channel ‘63 Network, which plays an advocacy role in how faith-based institutions in Africa can become enablers of SMEs and active players in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Africa Agenda 2063—The Africa We Want.
He is the author of 14 bestselling entrepreneurship-related and personal leadership development books, including In Pursuit of Purpose, Strategic Positioning, Tales of Great Achievers, The Miracle of the Mind, and How to Increase Your Income as an Employee.
Education
Emmanuel holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration from Swiss Business School, Switzerland.
He has two master’s degrees: one in applied business research from Swiss Business School, Switzerland, and another in governance and leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
He also holds a certificate in contemporary management from Noble International Business School, Ghana.
He has been married to Dora for over three decades, and they are blessed with three hardworking professionals: Dr. Sharon (Medical Doctor), Kelvina-Dorcas (Risk Analyst), and Emmanuel Jnr. (Esq.).
MODERATOR
MICHAEL ARMAH, Ph.D.
Higher Education Administrator and Transformational Leadership Advocate
Michael Armah, Ph.D.
Dr. Michael Armah is a higher education administrator, transformational leadership advocate, and ordained cleric with a distinguished record in institutional development, policy formulation, and global educational engagement. He currently serves as the Registrar of Pentecost University, Ghana, where he plays a pivotal role in driving strategic growth, administrative excellence, and digital innovation.
Dr. Armah has previously served as Registrar at two leading private universities in Ghana, where he successfully led strategic reforms in academic governance, institutional accreditation, and digital transformation. His leadership has consistently bridged policy and practice to promote inclusive, tech-driven, and values-based education.
He holds a Ph.D. in ICT Education with a specialization in Cybersecurity under the World Bank-funded ACEITSE project at Lagos State University, Nigeria. His doctoral research explores the integration of indigenous knowledge systems to improve STEM education outcomes — a clear reflection of his commitment to contextualized African solutions in education and leadership development.
A practitioner-scholar, Dr. Armah has presented at esteemed international conferences including the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) and the Rio Grande Valley STEM Education Conference (USA). He has co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles and co-developed the Afrocyberlibrary App, an innovative learning tool that contextualizes cybersecurity for African learners.
His leadership philosophy combines administrative expertise, cross-cultural fluency, and a faith-informed worldview. He is actively engaged in youth development initiatives and Christian mentorship groups, where he champions holistic development and servant leadership among youth and emerging leaders.
MODERATOR
King David Amo
Corporate Communications and Marketing Lead
King David Amo
King David Amo is a Corporate Communications and Marketing Lead at Innohub, where he works at the intersection of storytelling, enterprise development, and impact.
With over a decade of experience across logistics, procurement, and communications, he has built a reputation for translating complex development work into clear, human stories that resonate with entrepreneurs, partners, and policymakers.
At Innohub, he leads communications for programs that have supported thousands of SMEs across Africa. His focus goes beyond visibility: using communication to influence funding decisions, strengthen partnerships, and drive real business outcomes, while positioning entrepreneurs as builders of economic growth.
He is particularly passionate about bridging the gap between ideas and everyday realities. Whether simplifying sustainability conversations, shaping thought leadership for ecosystem leaders, or designing campaigns that drive action, his approach is rooted in one belief: communications should not be an afterthought, but a growth function.
Beyond his role, King David is building a voice around using communication as a practical tool for growth, drawing on his experience in startup support to break down business, development, and innovation into clear, actionable insights people can actually use.
Looking ahead, his ambition is to position African-led communications as a global standard; one that is authentic, impact-driven, and deeply connected to real-world change.
Reviewers of the Keynote Presentations
PROF. FELIX KUMAH-ABIWU
Professor, Kent State University, USA
Prof. Felix Kumah-Abiwu
Professor Felix Kumah-Abiwu is a Professor of African Affairs in the Department of Africana Studies at Kent State University in the United States of America. He is the Founding Director of the Center for African Studies at Kent State University and also serves as a Non-Resident Fellow of Governance and Democracy at Nkafu Policy Institute in Yaoundé, Cameroon. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from West Virginia University, USA, an M.A. from Ohio University, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Ghana, Legon.
He also studied at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) at the University of Ghana. His research focuses on Africa’s political systems and leadership, elections and democratic governance, foreign policy analysis, Africa’s role in international affairs, security and development, African-centered theories, and Africa-African diaspora relations. Professor Kumah-Abiwu has presented his research papers at national (USA) and international conferences.
In 2015 and 2017, he presented his research papers at the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala, Sweden. He participated and presented papers at international conferences in Hamilton, Bermuda (2016), Dublin, Ireland (2018), Vienna, Austria (2019), Mauritius (2019), and Dunedin, New Zealand (2019), and many others. In addition to his published books, book reviews, encyclopedia entries, policy papers, newspaper articles, and several book chapters, his articles have also appeared in reputable scholarly journals such as the Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs, Journal of Pan African Studies, International Journal of Public Administration, Urban Education, Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, and African Security Review, among others. Professor Kumah-Abiwu is also the co-editor of these scholarly books: Restorative Justice and Practice in US Education (2024), Emancipatory Change in U.S. Higher Education (2023), The Political Impact of African Military Leaders (2023), and Jerry John Rawlings: Leadership and Legacy (2022).
Dr. David Ofosu-Dorte
Senior Partner – AB & David Africa
Dr. David Ofosu-Dorte
David Ofosu-Dorte is the founder and Senior Partner of AB & David Africa, an Africa focused global business law firm with offices in Ghana, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and affiliate in Kenya and representative offices in Mauritius and Singapore. He has led several multidisciplinary assignments cutting across finance, public private partnerships, infrastructure deals structuring and public policy reforms. He has been described as “highly regarded” (IFLR 1000, 2025) and “…well-regarded Ghanaian lawyer who frequently advises on matters concerning energy and infrastructure development. He is notably involved in transactional mandates” (Chambers Global 2025).
His deep insights are of great value to clients seeking to succeed in Africa and he is the go-to-person when boardrooms require balanced analysis of issues that impact businesses in Africa. Aside law practice, he is a passionate pan-Africanist and a member of the AfroChampions organisation which spearheaded several Pan-African private sector initiatives including the Private Sector Trillion-Dollar Africa Investment Framework for Africa in support of the AfCFTA which has since been adopted by the Africa Union. He co-led the AfroChampions team that mobilized private sector action from 28 African countries for private sector action ahead of the start of the AfCFTA. David has recently been appointed to serve on the newly formed independent Advisory Group of Eminent Personalities to advance the African Union Development Fund, an initiative of AUDA-NEPAD. He served for a two-year period as a committee member of the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN) as a non-Nigerian member.
David holds a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration, a Masters in Public Administration, a Masters in Applied Business Research and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a Fellow of the Ghana Institute of Planners.
PROF. KWESI ANNING
Head, Office for International Cooperation (OIC), Kofi Annan Intl. Peacekeeping Training Centre, Accra
Prof. Kwesi Aning
Kwesi Aning is Professor at the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Head of the Office for International Cooperation (OIC) at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Accra, Ghana. He served as the African Union’s (AU) first expert on counterterrorism in 2005. Between 2016 and 2019, he served on the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Group for the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). In 2021, he was appointed as a senior consultant for the Independent Project Evaluation on Support to the Maldives on Counter-terrorism, and again in 2022 evaluated the European Union’s (EU) Counter-terrorism interventions in Sri Lanka. In 2022, he was appointed to serve on the World Food Programs’ (WFP) Security Advisory Board (SECAB). In 2023, he served as an Evaluation Expert on Terrorism Prevention for the Independent Evaluation Section (IES) of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC). His research focuses on peacekeeping, hybrid political orders, political violence, criminal networks, extremism and security force assistance. In March 2023, his 2022 article on ‘African experiences and alternativity in International Relations theorizing about security’, in the Journal International Affairs, Vol. 98, No. 1 (with Kwaku Danso) won the International Affairs Centenary Prize by Chatham House, UK. His 2025 publications include:
‘Conflict prevention as a tool for poverty mitigation in West Africa: The role of the Economic Community of West African States’, Conflict and Poverty in Africa: A Research CompanionLondon: Routledge.
‘Ghana, Togo and Benin’, in The Handbook of African Defence and Armed Forces Oxford: Oxford University Press
Panel Discussion 1
SMEs FINANCING UNDER AfCFTA PROTOCOL ON WOMEN AND YOUTH IN TRADE
Mr. Timothy Chizuzu
Chairman, Zimbabwe Miners Federation
Timothy Chizuzu
Timothy Chizuzu is a renowned environmentalist and leader in Zimbabwe’s mining sector. He serves as Chairman of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Mashonalaship West Province and Founder of the National Environmental Awareness Trust (NEAT). Chizuzu is a strong advocate for sustainable mining practices, prioritizing environmental and social responsibility. He promotes the involvement of women and youth in mining and advocates for government support to strengthen the small-scale mining sector.
His expertise is underpinned by academic qualifications including a BSc in Peace and Security Studies (Great Zimbabwe University), a Master’s in Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability (Bindura University of Science Education), and several diplomas in Mineral and Policy, and Project Monitoring and Evaluation. He is currently pursuing an MBA in Public Management with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe.
Mrs. Kosi A. Yankey-Ayeh
Founder, KAYA Women’s Leadership Institute & Former CEO – Ghana Enterprises Agency
Mrs. Kosi A. Yankey-Ayeh
Kosi Antwiwaa Yankey-Ayeh is a globally respected leader in economic development, strategic finance, and entrepreneurship, with over two decades of experience across Africa, North America, and Europe. She is the founding CEO of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA)—Ghana’s national authority for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)—and the first woman to lead the institution. Under her transformative leadership, the GEA supported over 1 million businesses and individuals, expanded its funding from approximately GHC 5 million to GHC 2 billion, and created Ghana’s largest women’s entrepreneurship platform, the WERise Network.
Kosi began her career on Wall Street at Deutsche Bank, where she helped structure the first microfinance fund by a global investment bank, and went on to serve in impactful roles at Solidaridad, and Engineers Without Borders, Canada. An entrepreneur at heart, she started her own consultancy, finance and agribusiness in Ghana with an Africa focus. Her expertise spans entrepreneurship, finance, MSME development, policy design, and large-scale project execution.
She has advised national and international institutions and governments, serving on boards such as the Ghana Venture Capital Trust Fund, the Ministry of Finance Advisory Board, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Endowment Fund, and the Alliance for Integrity (Ghana and International Chapter). Her collaborations with the Mastercard Foundation include designing the Young Africa Works strategy and the Business in a Box initiative, which will in total train over 300,000 young people and create or sustain more than 200,000 jobs in Ghana.
Kosi holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Certificate in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she received the 2016 Excellence Award for Academic Distinction and the “Harvard Square to Oval Office” grant supporting Ghanaian women in politics. She earned her BA in Government and Certificate in International Relations from Wesleyan University, USA, and has further qualifications from Wageningen University (Netherlands), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and IE University (Spain), where she also lectures part-time.
A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, youth inclusion, and Africa’s transformation, Kosi is a sought-after keynote speaker and mentor. She is a devout Catholic, married with three children, and continues to inspire women and girls worldwide through her bold vision, inclusive leadership, and unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for others to thrive.
Mr. Akwasi Aboagye
CEO, Bayport Savings and Loans Company
Mr. Akwasi Aboagye
Mr. Akwasi Aboagye is the Chief Executive Officer of Bayport Savings and Loans PLC, a position he has held since August 2021. He joined Bayport in December 2018 as the Financial Controller and has demonstrated exceptional leadership, driving the company’s growth and strategic direction.
A seasoned chartered accountant with over 18 years of experience, Mr. Aboagye has held senior managerial roles across multinational organizations in Africa, specializing in leadership, fundraising, strategy, credit, finance, risk, and operations. His career began at Barclays Bank Ghana (now ABSA Bank Ghana Ltd) in 2007, where he served as a Credit Operations Analyst and later advanced to the role of Group and Financial Reporting Manager. In this capacity, he oversaw group, statutory, and management reporting, as well as tax and accounts payable functions. He led key projects, including the implementation of an application fraud risk detection system, a complex dealing system for treasury and markets, and served as the IFRS 9 implementation project lead.
Prior to joining Bayport, Mr. Aboagye was the Finance Manager for Ghana and Sierra Leone at AgDevCo Limited, a UK-based impact investor in agribusiness, where he played a pivotal role in financial management.
In 2023, Mr. Aboagye spearheaded the issuance of GHS 50 million for Bayport on the Ghana Fixed Income Market, marking a significant milestone as the first corporate bond issuance following the Domestic Debt Exchange Program. This landmark deal reopened the Ghanaian primary bond market, showcasing his expertise in fundraising and capital markets.
Mr. Aboagye’s leadership has been recognized with numerous industry awards, including:
- 2024 CEO of the Year – Savings and Loans at the Ghana Finance Awards
- 2023 CEO of the Year – Savings and Loans at the Ghana Credit Excellence Awards
- 2023 CEO of the Year (Non-Bank) at the Ghana Business Standard Awards
- 2022 Leadership Excellence Award (Savings and Loans) at the Ghana CEO Summit
A proud alumnus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mr. Aboagye holds a degree in Computer Science. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICA-GH).
Outside of his professional achievements, Mr. Aboagye is a devoted family man, married with two sons and a daughter. In his leisure time, he enjoys boxing, traveling, and farming.
Panel Discussion 2
Trade, Logistics, Infrastructure, and Digital Payment Challenges
Mr. Edward Tetteh-Owusu Akrong
Chief Executive Officer of Sheik Lines Company Limited, and Immediate Past President, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF)
Mr. Edward Tetteh-Owusu Akrong
Edward Tetteh-Owusu Akrong is a seasoned freight forwarding and international trade facilitation professional with over 32 years of experience in customs brokerage, logistics, maritime transport, and supply chain management. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Sheik Lines Company Limited and the Immediate Past President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) and a former board member of the Ghana Maritime Authority.
Mr. Akrong has played a leading role in shaping trade facilitation and customs modernization in Ghana, championing reforms in port operations, digitalization, and regional trade integration. He has represented the freight forwarding industry on several national and international platforms and is widely respected for his expertise in customs procedures, trade policy, and logistics management.
He is passionate about promoting efficiency in cross-border trade, strengthening professional standards within the logistics industry, and advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). His extensive industry experience and commitment to policy advocacy have made him a recognized voice in Ghana’s trade and logistics sector.
Dr. David Ofosu-Dorte
Senior Partner – AB & David Africa
Dr. David Ofosu-Dorte
David Ofosu-Dorte is the founder and Senior Partner of AB & David Africa, an Africa focused global business law firm with offices in Ghana, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and affiliate in Kenya and representative offices in Mauritius and Singapore. He has led several multidisciplinary assignments cutting across finance, public private partnerships, infrastructure deals structuring and public policy reforms. He has been described as “highly regarded” (IFLR 1000, 2025) and “…well-regarded Ghanaian lawyer who frequently advises on matters concerning energy and infrastructure development. He is notably involved in transactional mandates” (Chambers Global 2025).
His deep insights are of great value to clients seeking to succeed in Africa and he is the go-to-person when boardrooms require balanced analysis of issues that impact businesses in Africa. Aside law practice, he is a passionate pan-Africanist and a member of the AfroChampions organisation which spearheaded several Pan-African private sector initiatives including the Private Sector Trillion-Dollar Africa Investment Framework for Africa in support of the AfCFTA which has since been adopted by the Africa Union. He co-led the AfroChampions team that mobilized private sector action from 28 African countries for private sector action ahead of the start of the AfCFTA. David has recently been appointed to serve on the newly formed independent Advisory Group of Eminent Personalities to advance the African Union Development Fund, an initiative of AUDA-NEPAD. He served for a two-year period as a committee member of the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN) as a non-Nigerian member.
David holds a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration, a Masters in Public Administration, a Masters in Applied Business Research and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a Fellow of the Ghana Institute of Planners.
Mr. Stanley R. K. Ahorlu, Esq.
President, Ghana Chamber of Shipping
Stanley R. K. Ahorlu
Stanley R. K. Ahorlu is a Ghanaian maritime lawyer and an entrepreneur with over 25 years’ experience in shipping in West Africa.
Mr. Ahorlu is the current president of the Ghana Chamber of Shipping. He has successfully deployed his rich experience in commercial law practice, ship ownership and operations, chartering and maritime project finance to create and retain value.
Mr. Ahorlu is the Chairman of Ahorlu Marine Holdings and is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited, a company offering world-class ship repair in the port of Takoradi, Ghana. His other shipping interests include PMD Viking Ghana Limited, a joint venture with Noble Drilling, Amitlaw Shipbrokers Limited, a company that pioneered chartering of offshore support vessels to Tullow Oil Ghana Limited, and African Independent Feeder Limited, a company that offered short-sea connections to more than eight ports in West Africa using feeder vessels.
He obtained a BA (Hons) Classics from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, a Juris Doctor (JD) from Pepperdine University School of Law, in California and an LL.M (Maritime Law) from Southampton University in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Ahorlu is a director of PMD Assetco Limited, Planwell Insurance Brokers, PMD Motors amongst others. He is a member of the Ghana Chamber of Shipping, the Ghana Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Dr. Fareed Arthur
Consultant of AfCFTA
Dr. Fareed Arthur
Dr. Fareed Arthur is an Organizational Development consultant. He holds a PhD in Economics from the and an Advanced Certificate in Organization & Systems Development from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, USA. He has more than thirty years of specialization in Organization and Systems Development, African trade, strategic management monitoring and evaluation, development financing, capacity building, and public and private sector intermediation.
Dr. Arthur has worked internationally and across Africa with several African governments and leading development organizations such as the World Bank, NEPAD, EU, CIDA, Danida, GIZ, UNECA and UNDP. Through these partnerships, he has delivered change solutions to a diverse range of international clients in both government and non-government sectors.
From 2020 to April 2025, Dr. Arthur was a Senior Technical Advisor to the Ghana Ministry of Trade and Industry and National AfCFTA Coordinator. During this period, he led efforts to establish the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra and the National AfCFTA Coordination Office (NCO). He was instrumental in developing Ghana’s National Policy Framework and Action Plan for AfCFTA, positioning Ghana as the first state party to create a dedicated AfCFTA implementation structure.
Dr. Arthur played a key role in the launch of the Guided Trade Initiative in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat, under the leadership of the Secretary General. This initiative enabled the commencement of commercially viable trade activities within the AfCFTA framework, marking a significant milestone in the agreement’s implementation.
At the continental level, Dr. Arthur served as Strategic Advisor and later as Deputy Chief of Staff of the African Union Commission. In these capacities, he provided strategic leadership in the conceptualization and design of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He is a Founding Partner of the Organizational Development Centre in Ghana.
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